Vakos



March 3, 1959 P. VAKOS 2,875,851

STARTER FOR A GASOLINE ENGINE Filed Feb 14. 1958 E M 2/ 9 22 1- 72 53 r \\ja /6 2 E '1': 1 1/ 22 llllmllLllll ,4 T TOP/V5 V States, Patent O g 2,875,851 STARTER FOR A GASOLINE ENGINE i v Peter Vakos, Racine, Wis. v I Application February 14,1953, Serial No. 715,451

8 Claims. 01. 185-41) This invention relates to a starter for a gasoline engine, preferably of the one-cylinder type such as that used in lawn mowers and outboard motors. This is a continuation-in-part of U. S. application Serial No. 674,104, filed July 25, 1957, and now abandoned.

It is an'object of this invention to provide an engine starter which is simple to operate and yet is reliable in its action of starting engines.

It is another object of this invention to provide an engine starter which is inexpensive and compact but yet is readily and easily attached to engines of the type already in existence.

Another object of this invention is to provide an engine starter which is safe in its operation and, further, the manner of operating the starter is such that the likelihood of making a mistake, such as cranking the starter in the wrong direction, and mistakes in like operations are improbable. This object is accomplished by providing a starter which can be cranked in only one direction, and the crank is automatically released from its cranking position before the engine can be started, and thus the obvious dangers to the operator are avoided.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an engine starter of the type which employs a coil spring, wherein the starter .is engaged with the engine crankshaft before the spring is released.

These and other objects will become apparent upon readingthe following description in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a preferred embodiment of this invention and showing the same mounted on a fragment of a conventional gasoline engine.

Fig, 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views. I

Fig. 1 shows the starter of this invention to be mounted on a conventional type of gasoline engine having a housing portion 11 and a shaft end 12 to which is attached, as by studs 13, a ring or ratchet member 14 having internal teeth 16. Also, a grass clipping guard or deflector 17 is secured to the cup-shaped ring 14 to protect. the interior of the gasoline engine from debris of grass clippings or the like.

The starter includes a housing 18 which is supported by legs or the like 19 which are shown welded at 21 to the floor of the housing 18, and with the other ends of the legs 19 being secured by sheet metal screws 22 to the engine housing 11. The cover 23 is secured to and can be considered a part of the housingv 18, and it is secured to the latter by means of studs 24 which are threaded at their lower ends through the floor of the housing andinto the legs 19 while the upper ends of "ice the housing 18 and extends above and below the housing and is co-axial with the axis of the crankshaft 12. A sleeve or part of a stop member 28 is concentrically disposed over the shaft 27 and is attached to a handle 29 by means of a bolt 31 which passes through the handle and into a threaded upper end of the sleeve 28. At this time it should also be noticed that the handle 29 is preferably made of a channel-shapedmaterial and includes a hinge 32 for purposes of folding the handle back into an inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 1, when the handle is not required for operating the starter. The sleeve 28 has a pin 33 extending therethrough and connecting to a collar 34 by extending into the collar so that the sleeve 28 and collar 34 are non-rotatably secured together such that the rotation of one imparts identical rotation to the other. A member 36 is coiled around the circular collar 34 in the several coils shown, and the member is of suitable material so that, through a pin 37 depending from the handle 29 and with the pin engaging a loop 38 on the upper end of the member 36, the latter is placed in a rotationally driving condition-with respect to the collar 34 when the handle 29 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the top. The member 36 is also so arranged that when the handle 29 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the top, then. the member 36'will not tighten upon the collar 34, and thus there willbe no drive connection between the member 36 and the collar 34. In this manner, the member 36 is a unidirectional drive connector or. sprag which imparts rotation therethrough in only one selected direction, namely the counter-clockwise direction in the instance shown.

The lower end of thesleeve 28 is engaged with apin or rod 39 extending through the shaft 27 and disposed in the slot 41 in the lower end of the sleeve 28. on the lower end of the sleeve 28 another unidirectional connector 42 is suitably wound with a loop 43 engaging a depending pin 44 which is welded to the cover 2301: the housing 18. In this instance, the member 42 is wound opposite to the member 36 so that rotation of the handle 29 in the counterclockwise direction will transmitthe rotation to the sleeve 28, and the member 42 will merely be in sliding contact with the lower portion of the sleeve 28. However, when clockwise rotation of the sleeve 28,

. such as that which might be induced bythe shaft 27,.is

urged in the sleeve 28, then the sprag or unidirectional member 42 will prevent the sleeve 28 from rotationin the clockwise direction, as viewed from the top. j I,

At this time it should also be noticed that a member 46 is stationarily attached to the cover 23, andthe meme ber has' an inclined upper surface 47 thereon, andthis surface engages a similarly inclined surface which. is the lower edge of the circular member 48 rotatably disposed over the central portion of the sleeve 28. A projection 49 is attached to the member 48, and a control rod 51 is in turn attached to the member 49 with the latter being secured to the member 48 by welding or the like. A clamp 52 is mounted on the housing 18 ina suitable man} ner to support the conduit 50 so that the rod 51 can move axially through the conduit' 50 to rotate the member'48. Itshould also be understoodthat the rod 51 extends" to aposition remote from the housing 18 'such'as'to the upper end of a lawn mower handle so that the starter can be controlled from a remote point. Thus, upon axial movement of the rod 51', the member 48 is rotatedto' move'its lower surface up the incline 47' of the member spring 53- is disposed between the housing cover 23 and the shoulder 54 of the sleeve 28 so that the spring 53 yieldingly urges downw-ardly on the sleeve 28 to maintain the sleeve and shaft engagement mentioned.

It will also be noticed that a spirally coiled spring 56 is disposed within the housing 18 and connected to a stud 24 at the left side in Fig. l at the outer end of the spring while the inner end of the spring is connected to a sleeve 57 which is preferably flat as at 58. A pin 59fextends through the shaft 27 and sleeve 57 and has an angled end .60 disposed to the clockwise direction of rotation of the starter. Also, the inner end of the spring 56 s flat in its portion 61 and has an opening 62 through which the end of the pin 59 projects to provide the drive connection between the shaft 27 and the spring 56. Thus, the rotational drive connection between the shaft 27 and the spring 56 exists only in the counterclockwise directron of rotation, and that is the direction shown by the arrowrnarked B" on the drawing.

The lower end of the shaft 27 is supported by a hous ing portion 63 which is welded to the floor of the housing, as shown: The shaft lower end has a flange-like member- 64 secured thereto by means of the bolt 66 so that the-flange member 64 rotates with the shaft 27. A pawl member 67 is attached tothe member 64 through a pivot pm 68 which is anchored to the U-shaped portion 69 of the pawl member 67. The pawl 67 also includes an arm 7lwh ich extends around shaft 27 to a side diametrically opposite the pivot pin '68, and the end of the arm 71 carries a friction or rubber member 72 which extends upwardly in Fig. 1 to engage the bottom 73 of the support 63. In this manner, the member 72 is a drag connector between the pawl 67' and the housing. Another portlon 74 of the pawl 67 extends to the outermost limit of the pawl 67 and is adjacent the teeth 16 of the ring 14. It will thus be understood that when the shaft 27 is rotated in the clockwise direction, which is the direction indicated by the arrow marked A, then the drag member72 engaging the surface 73 will pivot the pawl 67 about 1ts pin 68 so that the end 74 will engage the teeth 16. At this time it should also be seen, as shown in F g. 3,'that the loop 43 of the connector 42 engages the pin 44 loosely so that the engagement provides a lost motion between the pin 44 and the connector 42, and such lost motion isthe amount of rotation of the shaft 27 to cause the portion 74 of the pawl 67 to engage the rmgteeth 16.. Also, this slight rotation of the shaft 27 is lnducedby an unwinding of the spring 56 after the operator has released the handle 29 after completing a winding operation of the spring 56. Thus, the pawl and the, ring are engaged prior to the time that the full energy of the spring 56 is released to transmit rotation to the shaft 27 and subsequently to the engine crankshaft l2 for starting the engine. A return tension spring 76 is connected between a looped member 77 attached to the flange member 64 at one end of the member 77 while the other end thereof secures the spring 76. The latter is then also attached to the portion 77 of the pawl 67 to urge the pawl radially inward for disengaging the portion 74'from the teeth 16. When the engine commences to operate, the crankshaft 12 with the member 14 will rotate at a high speed so that the teeth 16 free the pawl 74 which can return to the Fig. 2 position under the influence of the spring 76. Thus, no part of the starter continues to rotate when the engine is running. Also, the starter is so constructed that it: can be wound up even while the engine is running.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it should be obvious that certain changes could be made therein, and the scope of this invention should, therefore, be limited only by the appended clairns.v

What is claimed is:

1 An. engine starter for use on a small gasoline engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, adult extending through said housing and rotatable therein, first means on said shaft and said crankshaft for transmitting rotation of said shaft to said crankshaft, a handle, second means on said shaft for connectingsaid handle thereto for rotation of said shaft by said handle in one direction only with said one. direction being reverse to the direction of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing concentric about said shaft and attached to said housing, a lug on said shaft for rotationally attaching said shaft and said spring together in said one direction of rotation ofsaid shaft, said second means including a stop engaged with said shaft for securing said shaft against rotation in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, and release means attached to said stop for disengaging said stop from said shaft.

2. An engine starter for use on a small engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, means for mounting said housing onto said engine, a shaft extending through said housing, means on one end of said shaft for rotationally engaging said crankshaft, means on the other end of said shaft for drivingly engaging a crank to rotate said shaft in a direction opposite to the normal running direction of said crankshaft, a spiral coiled spring in said housing and concentric on said shaft andwith the outer end thereof anchored on said housing and being wound from inside outwardly in said running direction, means on said shaft and rotationally engaged with the inner end of said spring for transmitting rotational drive between said shaft and said spring in only one direction of rotation of said shaft with said one direction being the reverse of said running direction, a stop concentric with said shaft and axially movably mounted thereon for engagement with said shaft when the latter is urged to rotate in said running direction, and spring biased release means on said housing for selectively releasing said stop from engagement with said shaft.

3. An engine starter foruse on a small gasoline engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, first means on said shaft and said crankshaft for transmitting rotation of said shaft to said crankshaft, a handle, a sleeve axially movably mounted on said shaft, second means on said sleeve for connecting said handle thereto for rotation of said sleeve by said handle in one direction only with said one direction being reverse to the direction of said crankshaft, third means on said sleeve for securing the same against rotation in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a drive connection between said sleeve and said shaft and being releasable upon axial movement of said sleeve, a spirally coiled spring in said housing concentric about said shaft and attached to said housing, a lug on said shaft for rotationally attaching said shaft and said spring together in said one direction of rotation of said shaft, and release means attached to said drive connection for disengaging the latter from said shaft.

4. An engine starter for use on a small engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, means for mounting. said housing onto said engine, a shaft extending through said housing, a ratchet ring attached to said crankshaft, a pawl pivotally attached to one end of said shaft for engaging said ring, an actuator connected to said pawl for pivoting the latter in driving engagement with said ring upon rotation of said shaft in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, means on the other end of said shaft for drivingly engaging a crank to rotate said shaft in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing and concentric on said shaft and with the outer end thereof anchored on said housingand being wound'frorn inside outwardly, means on said shaft and rotationally engaged with the inner end of said spring for transmitting rotational drive between said shaft and said spring in only one direction of rotation of said shaft with said one direction being the reverse of said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a stop concentric with said shaft and axially movably mounted thereon for engagement with said shaft when the latter is urged to rotate, and spring biased release means on said housing for selectively releasing said stop from engagement with said shaft.

5. An engine starter for use on a small engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, means for mounting said housing onto said engine, a shaft rotatable in said housing, a ratchet ring attached to said crankshaft, a pawl pivotally attached to one end of said shaft for engaging said ring, a drag member connected to said pawl and in frictional contact with said housing for pivoting said pawl into driving engagement with said ring upon rotation of said shaft in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a tension spring attached to said pawl for disengaging the latter from said ring, means on the other end of said shaft for drivingly engaging a crank to rotate said shaft in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing and concentric on said shaft and with the outer end thereof anchored on said housing and being wound from inside outwardly, means on said shaft and rotationally engaged with the inner end of said spring for transmitting rotational drive between said shaft and said spring in only one direction of rotation of said shaft with said one direction being the reverse of said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a stop concentric with said shaft and axially movably mounted thereon for engagement with said shaft when the latter is urged to rotate, and spring biased release means on said housing for selectively releasing said stop from engagement with said shaft.

6. An engine starter for use on a small gasoline engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, first means on said shaft and said crankshaft for transmitting rotation of said shaft to said crankshaft, a handle, a sleeve axially movably mounted on said shaft for rotating therewith in one limit of axial movement and being free of said shaft in the other limit of axial movement, a first unidirectional connector on said sleeve for connecting said handle thereto for rotation of said sleeve by said handle in one direction only with said one direction being reverse to the direction of said crankshaft, a second unidirectional connector on said sleeve for securing the same against rotation in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing concentric about said shaft and attached to said housing, a lug on said shaft for rotationally attaching said shaft and said spring together in said one direction of rotation of said shaft, and release means attached to said sleeve for disengaging the latter from said shaft.

7. An engine starter for use on a small engine 'such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, the combination of a housing, means for mounting said housing onto said engine, a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a ratchet ring attached to said crankshaft, a pawl pivotally attached to one end of said shaft for engaging said ring, an actuator connected to said pawl for pivoting the latter into driving engagement with said ring upon slight rotation of said shaft in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, means on the other end of said shaft for drivingly engaging a crank to rotate said shaft in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing and concentric on said shaft and with the outer end thereof anchored on said housing and being wound from inside outwardly, means on said shaft and rotationally engaged with the inner end of said spring for transmitting rotational drive between said shaft and said spring in only one direction of rotation of said shaft with said one direction being the reverse of said direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a stop concentric with said shaft and axially movably mounted thereon for engagement with said shaft when the latter is urged to rotate in the direction of rotation of said crankshaft, a lost motion connection between said stop and said housing for effecting engagement of said stop and said shaft only after said slight rotation of said shaft, and spring biased release means on said housing for selectively releasing said stop from engagement with said shaft.

8. In an engine starter of the type used on a small engine such as the lawn mower and outboard motor type having a crankshaft, a housing, means for mounting said housing onto said engine, a shaft in said housing, releasable means on one end of said shaft for rotationally engaging said crankshaft, means on the other end of said shaft for drivingly engaging a crank to rotate said shaft in a direction opposite to the normal running direction of said crankshaft, a spirally coiled spring in said housing and concentric on said shaft and with the outer end thereof anchored on said housing and being wound from inside outwardly in said running direction, the invention characterized by means on said shaft and rotationally engaged with the inner end of said spring for transmitting rotational drive between said shaft and said spring in only one direction of rotation of said shaft with said one direction being the reverse of said running direction, a stop concentric with said shaft and axially movably mounted thereon for engagement with said shaft when the latter is urged to rotate in said running direction, said stop having a lost motion engagement with said housing upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, spring biased release means on said housing for selectively releasing said stop from engagement with said shaft, and actuating means operable on said releasable means for engaging the latter with said crankshaft upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction and prior to release of said stop from engagement with said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,568,136 Weimer Sept. 18, 1951 2,744,586 Blankenburg May 8, 1956 2,804,173 DeMillar Aug. 27, 1957 

